ANAHEIM – Just four games into the season, Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau changed his pairings in his defense corps and put Sheldon Souray with Francois Beauchemin.

Right now, it is unmistakable that Souray and Beauchemin have become Boudreau's choice duo to use against the opposition's top offensive lines and they're responding to the challenge.

"I think we've been doing a good job against anybody we've been playing," Beauchemin said. "It's been going well. We're two guys that can be physical and can skate and can contribute on the offensive end too.

"I think it's been a good match so far. We just got to keep it going that way."

In the Ducks' 3-1 victory over Minnesota on Friday night, Souray and Beauchemin played a key role in completely shutting down the Wild's top line of Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley.

The San Jose Sharks' Joe Pavelski combined with Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau on a goal against the Ducks last week, but Souray and Beauchemin were put on them and held scoreless afterward.

On Saturday night, the Kings' Dustin Brown got two power-play goals and Justin Williams scored at even strength, but Souray contributed a power-play goal while he and Beauchemin played more than 26 minutes and had a plus-1 rating in a 7-4 victory.

Boudreau wouldn't say he has a specific shutdown pair, but Souray is enjoying the challenge.

"I think we like the responsibility," Souray said. "I like to think we're both familiar with that part of the game. It's just played out that way. The coaches haven't said anything to us or there's been nothing that's really set in stone."

The 119-day lockout has allowed Beauchemin to get healthy after undergoing shoulder surgery in April. Souray was brought in with Bryan Allen as free agents in the summer to further toughen the Ducks' blue line.

The Ducks haven't had a truly effective shutdown defenseman since Chris Pronger.

Souray and Beauchemin are not him but they're making things tougher on skilled offensive players.

"Beauch is a strong, physical player," Souray said. "He's a hard guy to play against. I try to be the same."

FOWLER AILING

Defenseman Cam Fowler is considered day to day at this point but is to be re-evaluated today after suffering an upper-body injury Saturday night when he was hit into the boards by the Kings' Jarret Stoll.

Fowler was helped off early in the second period and did not return. Stoll was not penalized on the play and was not subjected to a hearing by the NHL for the hit from behind.

DUCKS 'SHOW GRIT'

A big part of the Ducks' early success is their spirited play in the third period of games. Another example was provided Saturday when they outplayed the more rested Kings despite playing on consecutive nights.

"We stuck with it," Souray said. "We're showing some character. We're showing some grit. I think we're showing some depth. We're showing that we have three lines, four lines that are getting the job done for us."

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